What does a Snowbird do in January?

Last year we joined the hiking group here at Jojoba Hills. But we found their hikes too fast paced, and too hard for us.

This year a new group has been formed for the less energetic among us, called the Jojoba Strollers. I joined them for an easy, three mile walk out our back gate to an olive grove.

Oh my!  This was one of the harder stretches. Slightly down hill.

At the olive grove, we took a break and were treated to an olive oil tasting. The many flavors of oil and balsamic vinegar were wonderful, but a bit pricy. I was secretly glad that I didn't bring any money along. But the grove is just around the corner from Jojoba, and they have a store down in Temecula.

This is the closest business to Jojoba Hills. I did stop in once, to see what they had, but it is not much more than a milk,  bread, and cigarette store.

This was another "hard" spot. We had to climb over and up several uneven rocks. I was actually hurt doing this. The nice guy on the right was giving us a hand, and I unwisely extended my left.
Super ouch! That is my recovering shoulder. But it was towards the end of the walk, and I got home to put on an ice bag fairly quickly.

I may be relaxed, but notice how I am holding my left arm in a protective position. It is almost as if I am wearing an invisible sling.

Speaking of my shoulder, it is slowly getting much better. I go to a physical therapist once a week and have tried to do all the exercises he has recommended on a daily basis. The current thinking on such is "work to pain". That meaning, if it hurts, stop. Craig has been supportive, but hasn't had to hassle me to do what is required.

Another subject:

2018 will  forever be know as the year I became a spiralizer! Last fall I bought a little plastic machine called a Spiralizer on a whim. I also bought a cookbook, and have been using both several times a week! (This whole subject deserves, and will get posts of its own in the future.) 

Spiralized sweet potato

This was one of the prettiest and most complex meals I created.

Oven Fried Avocado Tacos with Chipotle Cream
Would you believe this whole plate is only 240 calories!

Other things I did in January include:

• Took a fun little two hour felting class in the craft room.
• Went to lunch out with the "Mad Hatter" gals.
• Took a beginning watercolor class at the park Art Center trailer.
• Joined with others to march in the 2018 Women's March in Riverside.
• Participated in a group "postcard writing" session to support Julia Peacock, a Democrat public school teacher running for US Congress against the Republican incumbent. 
• Watched the 2018 season of "Grace and Frankie", a wonderful comedy on Netflix starting Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. When Craig watches sports in one room of the coach, I often go into the other and watch something else.
• We watched Season 7 of the "Game of Thrones" together. We don't have HBO, so we have bought each season from Amazon as it has become available. 
• And we both relaxed and read a few new books.
• Finally I have spent many hours reviewing information and making reservations at State and National parks for our summer adventure. North to Oregon and Washington this year!

The weather here has been much nicer than it was last year at this time. A few cool days, but mostly sunny and pleasant. We really do need more rain though. I hope we get some in February. I won't complain about any accompanying chill.

I end this post with a couple more shots of the beautiful sunsets we have enjoyed from our windows and patio.

A different day. 
I like to play with using a tree as composition element.

Life is good!